UK police arrest 17 over money laundering, false accounting and tax evasion
UK police say 17 people were arrested in an operation involving 800 officers and the Financial Conduct Authority; FCA action covers seven firms and pursuit of a further 30.
(Adds further details from police statement) LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) — British police targeting organised crime said they had arrested 17 people on suspicion of charges ranging from money laundering to false accounting and tax evasion as part of a major operation involving 800 officers and the country's financial regulator. Following a months-long investigation, the Financial Conduct Authority is taking action against seven firms, and is pursuing a further 30, the police said in a statement on Tuesday.
Properties in London, south east England and eastern England were raided in the early hours of Tuesday, and police said those arrested were suspected of being involved at a senior level in serious and organised crime. The FCA said joint action was key to disrupting groups "who abuse our financial system to launder dirty money". net)